Percival is a Ray

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 30, 2007 4:07 PM EST

2 years 8 million with incentives that could boost the deal over 10 million. Apparently the team didn't give him a physical (actually they did according to Rosenthal's article) - a lot of old damage would've made it a bit of a hassle - but was fine with his health. No clear word on whether Percival is the Rays closer immediately or not, but there is a strong possibility that he'll become the ninth inning man sooner than later.

He was just officially introduced - his contract can be worth around 12 million if all incentives are reached - and did some radio time; comparing the Rays to the Tigers, wouldn't have signed here if he didn't think we could win, and said his friend Troy Glaus had high praise for our team - but said we didn't win a lot because of our pen.

Maddon has said Percival will be the team's closer; and Dukes had a bit of a blow up - resulting in an ejection - in a Winter League game; apparently things could've been a lot worse if he wasn't held back by a teammate.

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Re: Percival is a Ray

I think thats why the rays were able to sign him, because he could close. He had an offer to close for the Brewers and an offer from the Yanks to set up. However, the biggest issue was that they were not willing to give him a contract for more than one year. The rays were the only one willing to give him the two things he really wanted: the closers job and a two year contract.

by BossmanJunior333 on Nov 29, 2007 7:33 PM EST reply actions

Re: Percival is a Ray

from Rosenthal:

"Percival took a physical in Tampa Bay on Thursday."

by RaysIndex on Nov 29, 2007 8:03 PM EST reply actions

And that's what I get for taking Rotoworld's word

For it.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 29, 2007 8:04 PM EST up reply actions

Re: And that's what I get for taking Rotoworld's w

It's possible (even likely) that Rosenthal changed the story (after RotoWorld read it) when he received more accurate info

by RaysIndex on Nov 29, 2007 8:08 PM EST up reply actions

Probably

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 29, 2007 8:09 PM EST up reply actions

Re: And that's what I get for taking Rotoworld's w

It's also possible that RotoWorld hates the Rays; but that's another story.

by floridaroar on Nov 29, 2007 8:15 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Percival is a Ray

BTW...must have been a swimming physical ("in Tampa Bay")

by RaysIndex on Nov 29, 2007 8:05 PM EST reply actions

Re: Percival is a Ray

Maybe that was an incentive, Andrew and Joe fly out to L.A. and tell him if he can swim to Tampa he'll get 2 million extra?

That joke was horrible, I apologize.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 29, 2007 8:07 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Percival is a Ray

Boooooo

www.lbacentral.com

by SeanDubbs on Nov 29, 2007 8:07 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Percival is a Ray

Signing Percy makes me very happy. Hopefully his arm holds up.

What a difference to the pen we started with last year. Some quality veterans.

Exciting.

by floridaroar on Nov 29, 2007 8:19 PM EST reply actions

Normally I'd make a point about

Quality being the key, not veteran, but I'm in a great move with these moves so no argument from me.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 29, 2007 8:46 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Percival is a Ray

Happy as a clam, just one more thing for me. Experienced Catcher

Disgruntled Asian Fan until we start to win games

by mik3655h on Nov 29, 2007 8:53 PM EST reply actions

I am guessing

the plan is to have Percy close for the next two years and than hopefully be able to turn it over to Morlan?

http://tampabaysportsfanatic.blogspot.com/ http://www.thestatpack.blogspot.com/

by tampabaysportsfanatic on Nov 29, 2007 11:41 PM EST reply actions

Re: I am guessing

Or Niemann or Salas. It's nice to have options.

by raysrule07 on Nov 30, 2007 12:04 AM EST up reply actions

Re: I am guessing

I'm going with McGee becoming the closer.

www.lbacentral.com

by SeanDubbs on Nov 30, 2007 12:29 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Percival is a Ray

For those who think it important to have a veteran on the pitching staff, one who likes to tutor young pitchers, Percival fits that bill as well. And he saved 7 games in the 2002 post-season including 3 in the World Series.

by bobr on Nov 30, 2007 6:42 AM EST reply actions

Re: Percival is a Ray

I guess the Rays were emboldened by the success of the last older-than-dirt relief pitcher they got, but it seems to me that expecting a full season out of Purse is a bit too optimistic.

Now perhaps if Salas still has some of his 'Designer' HGH...

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Nov 30, 2007 8:46 AM EST reply actions

His durability is a question mark

But $4 million a year for a top relief pitcher in this market doesn't look as insane as it once did, and the team won't have their hands tied for more than two years if the deal should fail.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Nov 30, 2007 2:25 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Percival is a Ray

Man. I had heard the Indians were interested too. Something about Joe Borowski being shaky.

If he is healthy, great sign by the Rays. Hopefully, 2007 will have seen the last of the Bullpen from Hell.

by StarScream on Nov 30, 2007 11:11 AM EST reply actions

Re: Percival is a Ray

Yeah, it seems these veterans will help the young bullpen guys out. IT seems the bullpen is going to heal some grave wounds from the past 10 years or so.

And don't you guys LOVE the mets? First we give them a horrible starter for the closest thing left-handed nolan ryan (Strike out wise, not velocity)

Then they buy Brian stokes from us? 7.71 ERA last year! LOL These guys are our dumpsters.

by Cory Alexander on Nov 30, 2007 12:56 PM EST reply actions

Collette has told me

That in Detroit Percival bought a suite so the team's family could watch games together and was in general a really good mentor to the young guys - same story in Anaheim.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 30, 2007 3:03 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Collette has told me

Yea, he was on the radio today and was talking about how he likes to help young pitchers find their stride and this is the perfect place. He also said that Troy Glaus told him that the Rays are the most talented offensive team that the Jays play and if they had a bullpen they would be very dangerous.

http://tampabaysportsfanatic.blogspot.com/ http://www.thestatpack.blogspot.com/

by tampabaysportsfanatic on Nov 30, 2007 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Percival is a Ray

It's nice to see your org addressing a key area of need with some cash and taking some risk. Hopefully this helps get Tampa jazzed on baseball - I can see you all are excited and should be.

Percy might not be there when the team reaches it's contention projection, but in my mind competing now and building a winning attitude and feel is worth it. Lots of news going down there - any impact on season ticket sales?

by nyyfaninlaaland on Nov 30, 2007 6:26 PM EST reply actions

Of course not

Most of the newspapers sites are filled with people saying we overpaid and hating on the move.

Same people bitch about Stu being cheap.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 30, 2007 6:42 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Percival is a Ray

I hate our casual Ray fans. They should shut up and continue their daily jobs at their worthless jobs. It makes me sick when people speak of things when they have no idea what they are talking about.

by Cory Alexander on Nov 30, 2007 6:51 PM EST reply actions

Percival is a YANKEE?????

I was listening to the Ben Maller show last night, and they mentioned that he declined a higher offer from the yankees to join the Rays....
wow....
how did we land him?

http://media.tbo.com/photos/sports/2007/oct/1003rayslogo.jpg

by Boricua on Dec 1, 2007 1:29 AM EST reply actions

Re: Percival is a YANKEE?????

Apparently he wanted to be a closer. On the Yankees he would set up Rivera.
We also beat out Milwaukee apparently because they would not offer the 2 years the Rays did. And there was one other team that pursued him but would not go to 2 years.
The Rays decided they wanted him enough to do what was necessary.

by bobr on Dec 1, 2007 8:09 AM EST up reply actions

I used to listen to the Third Shift all the time

Because Jorge Sedano was awesome. I haven't listened to Maller as much, but I listened to him when he did the weekend show and he was okay. But Jorge leaving really caused me to stop listening as regularly.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Dec 1, 2007 5:26 PM EST up reply actions